MSc Social Science and Health Research

Our Social Science and Health Research MSc provides broad research training in the social sciences, along with research skills related to health, illness and health care. It is for students who want to progress to a PhD or research career in universities or public and private sectors.

This course provides learning opportunities to enable you to gain advanced knowledge and understanding of the social science disciplines related to health, illness and health care. We aim to produce graduates who can proceed to careers in research in universities, and the public or private sector.

Delivery

We deliver teaching via a mix of:

lectures
seminars
practical sessions

This encourages active learning through discussion, problem solving and group work. Some sessions will involve student presentations, and preparatory or further reading and individual study will be required for others.

One third of the course involves undertaking a research project, which is developed in collaboration with academics. You can choose from a wide range of projects put forward by our academic staff, or select your own project. Projects undertaken vary and can involve:

primary data collection (quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods)
secondary analysis of a wide range of available datasets
a systematic review

In semester one you will develop your knowledge and understanding of research methods. We will provide you with regular research supervision throughout the course.

The course is research training recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) under its 1+3 system (Master's degree plus PhD) for funding postgraduate studies through the ESRC Northern Ireland/North East (NINE) Doctoral Training Partnership.